Voyagers Run Away With 4th Inning Lead

BILLINGS Mont.--Fourth-inning fireworks gave the Voyagers (1-0) the lead and they never looked back as they cruised to a 9-4 opening night win.

After a Jimmy Jacquot single evened the score at 2-2, Mark Haddow introduced himself to the professional baseball community with a majestic solo blast to give the Voyagers the 3-2 lead. Two pitches later, Randall Thorpe made it back-to-back home runs giving Great Falls a 4-2 advantage.

The Mustangs (0-1) were quick to answer, as Drew Poulke's solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning cut the deficit to one, but the Voyagers would add five more runs before Billings could strike again.

In his first professional start, Peter Gehle (1-0) picks up the win with a strong five inning performance, giving up just three runs. He was supported by a bullpen tandem of Jon Bachanov and Jamaal Hollis, who combined to throw four innings giving up just one run, striking out seven.

Ryan Newman, in his debut as the manager for Great Falls, started three players making their professional debuts: Mark Haddow, David Herbek, and Joe De Pinto. All three rewarded Newman for his decision.

Along with Haddow's home runs, David Herbek connected on a longball, while Joe De Pinto added a pair of hits, including a double.

New on staff, along with Ryan Newman, is hitting coach, Gary Ward. The former Major League player and coached watched as his squad pounded out 13 hits, consistently putting pressure on the Billings pitchers and defense.

The Voyagers will send southpaw, Jarrett Casey, to the mound tomorrow against right hander Stalin Gerson for the Mustangs as the four-game series continues. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm from Dehler Park.